BACKGROUND

Since Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, UNDP in Timor-Leste has been providing consistent support in consolidating democratic governance institutions, systems, and processes. Focus areas include oversight, accountability, local development, electoral support, and rule of law.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager, the Finance Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources, and management of the Country Office (CO) Finance Unit. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. S/he works in close collaboration with the operations, programme, and project teams in the CO, staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ, Bangkok Regional Hub and with Global Shared Service Unit in Malaysia and UNDP HQs staff to ensure successful CO performance in financial management and optimal programme/project delivery. The Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance analyst supervises the Finance Associates and coordinates the work of the project personnel.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads the effective and efficient implementation of operational and financial management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures to ensure CO programme/project delivery targets are timely achieved, through:

  • Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system, and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.
  • CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance, control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.
  • Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for managing projects.
  • Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the CO resources mobilization efforts.
  • Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies.
  • Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

Manages the project budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system through:

  • Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
  • Preparation and monitoring of budgets of management projects.
  • Sending project budget for approval if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed project documents and project budgets.
  • Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management.
  • Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP to other agencies
  • Annual budgets and cost recovery management for agreed common services as per Operation Management Team (OMT)’s approval.
  • Proper management of the contributions to the common service's budget and ensuring that the contributions are received in a timely manner and properly tracked and accounted for, with proper documentation.

Ensures proper control of CO accounts through:

  • Elaboration of the internal expenditures’ control system and liaise with GSSU to ensure that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas, and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures.
  • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
  • Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and maintenance of General Ledger.
  • Ensure proper accounting closure monthly, quarterly, and annually

Ensures proper CO cash management through:

  • Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
  • Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
  • Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and record of contributions.
  • Maintaining bank relations (list of signatories, opening and closing accounts, maintaining bank statements).
  • Liaising with the bank to resolve any banking error/ issue.
  • Member of bank signatory panel.
  • Initiation of bank transfers and deals, selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlement.
  • Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.
  • Ensure timely payment of Government Local Office Contribution (GLOC) by the Government.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO through:

  • Participation in the organization and conduct of training for the operations/programme/project staff on financial management.
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Acts as focal person for IPSAS Accounting
  • Ensures that programme and project personnel have required skills in Atlas operation
  • Updates CO staff on significant changes in the POPP, relevant to programme and project management and resources management;
  • Enhances the skills of programme staff on project management supported by Atlas.

Ensures effective oversight to assurance and audit of development projects focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Audit exercise is timely undertaken for development projects in accordance with UNDP requirements.
  • Audit concerns are timely addressed, and UNDP senior management is updated of the implementation status of the audit action plan;
  • Updates and informs UNDP management of any significant occurrence in the course of programme Implementation on management by exception basis;
  • Ensures preparation and review of assurance plan in view of risk level associated with Implementation Partners (IPs) and assurance activities are coordinated with Ex-Com UN Agencies.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

Innovation

  • Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

  • Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

  • Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

  • Ability to get things done while exercising good judgment

Technical / Functional Competencies:

Technical Knowledge

  • Ability to formulate and manage budgets, transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting, and cost recovery

Promoting organizational change and development

  • Ability to diagnose problems and identify and communicates processes to support change initiatives

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.

Management and Leadership

  • Builds strong relationships with clients; consistently approaches work with energy and positive attitude

Learning and Development

  • Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfillment and performance of employees

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

  • Advanced University degree (Master’s) in Finance/Accounting or a related fields such as Business, Public Administration, International Relations, Financial Management or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor) in Finance/Accounting or a related field such as Business, Public Administration, International Relations, Financial Management in combination with 4 years of qualifying relevant experience may be accepted.
  • UNDP Advance Accountancy & Finance Test (AAFT) is a requirement.

Experience

  • At least 2 years progressively responsible relevant experience in providing financial management services and accounting advisory services, managing staff and operational systems;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of online finance systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft.
  • Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.

 Language Requirements

  • Fluency in both English and Tetum.
  • Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.